Say what of Kildare?-is she waking or sleeping?
The day of our testing is growing apace
As mighty as winter-tossed billows on leaping
Wild 'farrahs' ring out from the lips of our race!
And what of Kildare, ever foremost and ready
Whenever the warflag was raised for the right
She's lifted her standard, true hearted and steady
Kildare to be-in the thick of fight!
From Naas to Maynooth rings the slogan of "Freedom."
From Newbridge to Leixlip, Kilcock to Athy
The men of Kildarra are there when we need them
They know how to fight and they know how to die
To The shrine of St. Brigid whose lamp ever burning
Shone out like a star on the ramparts of God
The home of Lord Edward, our eagle of morning
Could traitors abide on so sacred a sod!
Could fear of defeat or despair of a morrow
Find place where the ashes of Tone are at rest
Is there room for a coward or time for a sorrow
With "Croom a boo" watchword and oak tree for crest!
From Naas to Maynooth rings the slogan of "Freedom."
From Newbridge to Leixlip, Kilcock to Athy
The men of Kildarra are there when we need them
They know how to fight and they know how to die
Sure the challenge she threw in the face of the foeman
Of old when her claims flashed their falchions in air
Is still to the fore for a finish, and no man
Shall humble the shield of Fitzgerald's Kildare
Unconquered, invincible, steadfast forever
With a hand for the south and the north and the west
The foremost in onset the latest to waver
She stands with the Counties, the first and the best
From Naas to Maynooth rings the slogan of "Freedom."
From Newbridge to Leixlip, Kilcock to Athy
The men of Kildarra are there when we need them
They know how to fight and they know how to die
Kildare is awake for she never has slumbered
Whenever the summons to battle went forth
The deeds of her dead with the bravest are numbered
The sons of her soil are the salt of the earth
As true as the Liffey that sweeps ever onward
Through sunshine and storming, through shadow and light
Kildare holds her standard aloft in the vanguard
Kildare to be-in the thick of the fight
From Naas to Maynooth rings the slogan of "Freedom."
From Newbridge to Leixlip, Kilcock to Athy
The men of Kildarra are there when we need them
They know how to fight and they know how to die
There the spirit of liberty hovers unsleeping
Where rebels and martyrs found birth an a grave
The murdered of Mullaghmast watch still are keeping
O'er fields never trod by the foot of a slave